In 2028, Saudi Arabia will introduce a new non-mandatory Masters 1000 event.
While the tournament had already been confirmed last year, there were questions about its future due to the Public Investment Fund [PIF] cutting back on spending in other sports, such as golf, and LIV Golf’s own issues in that area.
The new Masters 1000 event is backed by SURJ Sports Investment, which is part of PIF. The CEO has now addressed concerns about the event’s status.
SURJ doubles down on commitment to 2028 Masters 1000 Event in Saudi Arabia
Speaking to ‘The National,’ Townsend stated:
“SURJ Sports Investment remains fully committed to the long-term development of premium tennis in Saudi Arabia and to the future ATP Masters 1000 tournament that is scheduled to join the calendar in 2028,” he said.
“Our strategy has always been anchored in building sustainable, world-class sports platforms over the long term.
“As with all of our investments, we continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the right conditions are in place for success, and we remain confident in the role this event will play within the Kingdom’s broader sporting ecosystem.”
Tennis could well prove to be more successful, although history tells us otherwise.
Saudi Arabia signed a deal to host the WTA Finals from 2024 through 2026. The inaugural event struggled with poor attendance figures, and although there was some improvement in fan turnout by 2025, it still wasn’t enough to shift perceptions.
The Next Gen ATP Finals also moved on after a brief three-year stint, leaving Jeddah at the end of last year.
Given these examples, it’s easy to see why some remain sceptical about whether a tenth Masters 1000 event will ever materialise as planned. But for now, nothing is certain except time itself.
Possible alternative venues for the 10th Masters 1000 event
If Townsend’s statement doesn’t hold up and the Saudi Arabian Masters 1000 tournament doesn’t happen, there are a few places that could step in to host.
South America is an obvious candidate. The region has a strong tennis culture and a passionate fan base, which many feel deserves a top-tier event beyond the ATP 500 level.
The existing ‘golden swing’ events in South America have already raised concerns over losing out to a Middle Eastern tournament, and shifting focus back to this region could win fans over quickly.
One logical move would be upgrading the Rio Open from an ATP 500 to Masters 1000 status. With young Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca on the rise, timing couldn’t be better.
Grass-court fans may prefer Queen’s or Halle – two ATP 500 tournaments held just before Wimbledon. Either of them would make sense if organisers wanted more representation on grass. Still, nothing has been confirmed yet.
There’s also the possibility of scrapping plans for a new Masters 1000 altogether. Player workloads are already stretched thin, with many speaking out about the risk of burnout and injuries due to an overcrowded schedule.
Whatever direction is taken next will shape how fans and players alike view this expansion effort – or lack thereof – in years to come.
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